Who out-coached who?

[jdhdavis]

Several online comments out there about ASU out-coaching UT.  

From a big picture view, I would argue that winning coaches are not out-coached as a summary comment, even if the losing teach had in-game successes like shutting down the UT run game.  You are what the final score says you are.  

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Agree. I really like dillingham but he also had 3 weeks to prepare for us. What if mo blocks throat punt?  We could be up 24 to 3 and the game would be over. 

[Hashtag]

Just because you win doesn’t mean you weren’t out coached. 

[82horn]

29 minutes ago, Hashtag said:

Just because you win doesn’t mean you weren’t out coached. 

Doesn’t mean you where either…..

[Assistant Regional Manager]

It was 24-8 with 10 minutes left. What was the coaching matchup like at that point? It was far from our best gameplan and the coaches deserve criticism for certain aspects of the game but we also love to praise other teams after we lose and I’ve ever once seen someone say Texas outcoached an opponent after a loss.

I thought ASU dialed up good calls at critical moments and had a good plan defensively but they also did some dumb stuff like running into the teeth of the defense on 4th and short after what happened to A&M and Clemson. Dillingham taking a timeout in the first overtime to run a QB sneak also prevented him from being able to call a timeout on the 4th and 13.

It works both ways.

[CHorn427]

Think about it if the shoe was on the other foot.

Dillingham went for it on 4th twice in field goal range, left 3-6 pts on the board that could have been the difference in what wound up being a tied game at the end of regulation.

To do that and then collapse in OT like ASU did- I highly doubt people would be lauding Sark for out coaching Dillingham in that situation. 

[ArizonaLonghorn]

Here in the desert the locals think ASU showed the world exactly how underrated the team (and by extension the entire Big 12) are.  No kidding. They are treating it like they showed the world they are ready for the big stage and well positioned for the future.

Arizona State football made statement for Big 12, begins 2025 with unprecedented momentum (article in the main Phoenix newspaper)

Some quotes -

"The Sun Devils did themselves proud and repped their new conference better than anyone probably expected. The Big 12 was a one-bid conference in the first-ever 12-team playoff. Should it have been? In hindsight, probably not."  (makes the case that BYU and Iowa State were overlooked - haha)

"In the end ASU proved it deserved that first-round pass. It also boasted four wins over nationally ranked teams this season, highlighted by a 45-19 beatdown of Iowa State in the Big 12 title game that was the most impressive performance in any conference title game."

"The Sun Devils will surely go into next season nationally ranked, with the balance of the team back, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is already getting Heisman Trophy buzz for his showing this season as a freshman."  (OK, but there are probably 20 guys getting Heisman 'buzz' right now ... I doubt Leavitt will do as well without Skattebo)

"The Sun Devils are set up for success like never before."  (Maybe, maybe not.  They aren't a big NIL player, they recruit poorly and they are in a weak conference, so it could be more 'lightning in a bottle' this year and 'back to normal' next - I moved here in 1986 and ASU had a big year, winning the Rose Bowl over Michigan, then that coach left for Ohio State (and went something like 2-10 vs Michigan before being fired) and ASU fell off.  Made a 2nd Rose Bowl in 1996 with Jake Plummer and a miraculous undefeated regular season, losing in the last minute to OSU in the Rose Bowl.  Since then, mostly mediocre results.  This year's team was basically one of three really good teams the past 40 years.)

I will believe it when I see it.

[Burnt Orange Horn]

Who out coached whom?